Four-time winners Japan have Tajikistan, Korea Republic and Kyrgyz Republic for company in Group C while standing in Iran’s way in Group D are Kuwait, Bahrain and Afghanistan.
Group C
Japan
How they qualified: Group H winners
Previous Appearances: 16
Best Finish: Champions (2006, 2012, 2014, 2022)
۲۰۲۲ Result: 1st
Head Coach: Kenichiro Kogure (JPN)
Japan enter the tournament as the defending champions, having stunningly defeated Iran 3-2 in the 2022 final in Kuwait.

Having secured their place as Group H winners, Japan’s pedigree cannot be underestimated having also emerged runners-up on six occasions.

Fixtures
Japan v Kyrgyz Republic – April 18
Korea Republic v Japan – April 20
Japan v Tajikistan – April 22
Tajikistan
How they qualified: Group E winners
Previous Appearances: 11
Best Finish: Quarter-finals (2007, 2022)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Quarter-finals
Head Coach: Pairav Vohidov (TJK)

Tajikistan will be on a mission to better their quarter-final finishes of 2007 and 2022.

The Central Asian side will feel they have a chance of progressing, given that only Japan look a class above them in the group.

Fixtures
Tajikistan v Korea Republic – April 18
Kyrgyz Republic v Tajikistan – April 20
Japan v Tajikistan – April 22
Korea Republic
How they qualified: Group D runners-up
Previous Appearances: 14
Best Finish: Runners-up (1999)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Group stage
Head Coach: Lee Chang-hwan (KOR)

Korea Republic will enter the competition with the belief that 2024 will be their year to shine.

After narrowly clinching their spot after finishing as the Group D runners-up, Korea Republic will be aiming to break their knockout stage drought stretching back to 2004.

Fixtures
Tajikistan v Korea Republic – April 18
Korea Republic v Tajikistan – April 20
Korea Republic v Kyrgyz Republic – April 22
Kyrgyz Republic
How they qualified: Group C runners-up
Previous Appearances: 15
Best Finish: 3rd (2005)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Did not qualify
Head Coach: Lluis Bernat

Having missed the 2022 edition, Kyrgyz Republic will be determined to impress on their return to the continental stage.

Head coach Lluis Bernat has been working hard on his charges and Kyrgyz Republic can be expected to provide a stiff challenge in Group C.

Fixtures
Japan v Kyrgyz Republic – April 18
Kyrgyz Republic v Tajikistan – April 20
Korea Republic v Kyrgyz Republic – April 22
Group D
IR Iran
How they qualified: Group C winners
Previous Appearances: 16
Best Finish: Champions (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Runners-up
Head Coach: Vahid Shamsaei (IRN)

Iran will be determined to regain the crown they lost to Japan two years ago.

Led by head coach Vahid Shamsaei, Iran finished second in the 2024 International Futsal Tournament in Vietnam and will be eager to hit the ground running in Bangkok.

Fixtures
IR Iran v Afghanistan – April 18
Bahrain v IR Iran – April 20
IR Iran v Kuwait – April 22
Kuwait
How they qualified: Group F winners
Previous Appearances: 12
Best Finish: Fourth place (2003, 2014)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Quarter-finals
Head Coach: Mohammad Nazemasharieh (IRN)

Kuwait will be determined to do better after their 2022 campaign ended in the quarter-finals on home soil.

Having secured fourth place finishes in 2003 and 2014, Kuwait will expect to do better this time around.

Fixtures
Kuwait v Bahrain – April 18
Afghanistan v Kuwait – April 20
IR Iran v Kuwait – April 22
Bahrain
How they qualified: Group F runners-up
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Quarter-finals (2018)
۲۰۲۲ Result: Group stage
Head Coach: Rafael Fogageiro

Head coach Rafael Fogageiro will be tasked with guiding Bahrain to a place in the knockout stage, having secured their spot in Thailand after finishing runners-up in Group F.

While Iran look too strong, Bahrain will feel they have a chance against Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Fixtures
Kuwait v Bahrain – April 18
Bahrain v IR Iran – April 20
Bahrain v Afghanistan – April 22
Afghanistan
How they qualified: Group B winners
Previous Appearances: Nil
Head Coach: Mohammad Haidari (AFG)

Debutants Afghanistan will be eager to make an impact in the competition.

The Central Asian side impressed with a third place finish in the NSDF Futsal Championship 2024 and will aim to carry that form into the AFC Futsal Asian Cup.

Fixtures
IR Iran v Afghanistan – April 18
Afghanistan v Kuwait – April 20
Bahrain v Afghanistan – April 22